Collapsible wagon-body.



J. A. BROWN.

GOLLAPSIBLE WAGON BODY.

APPLIGATION FILED 11110.13, 191s.

Patented D60. 29, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

JAMES A. BROWN, OF ANNONA, TEXAS.

COLLAPSIBLE WAGON-BODY.

Application filed December 13, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES A. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Annona, in the county of Red River and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible W agon-Bodies; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skill in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicle bodies and resides in the provision of a collapsible or take down body for vehicles that, may be assembled or disassembled in a reliable and expeditious manner without necessitating much time or labor.

An important object of the invention is to provide a collapsible wagon body which is capable of being assembled in an expeditious manner and readily locked in that position by a novel form of fastening or looking means forming a part of this invention.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel form of locking means for holding the body in assembled extended position, that is simple as to construction, reliable in its operation and capable of being readily operated.

This invention further aims to improve wagon bodies of the character described so as to render them more practical, simple and more commercially desirable.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more particularly pointed out in the claim which is appended hereto and forms a part of this application.

With reference to the drawings, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the body in assembled position, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on'line 22 of Fig. 1 illustrating particularly, the means for looking the body in assembled position, and Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary view illustrating one of the sides of the body detached from the adjacent end of the body and the fastening means released.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Serial No. 806,534.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts, the numeral 1 designates the bottom wall of the wagon body which when 1n assembled position is approximately rectangular and may be constructed of suitable wood or light metal. Side walls 2 and 3 are adapted to cooperate with the bottom wall 1 to form the rectangular body in combination with transverse end walls 4 and 5. These end walls at and 5 are adapted to fit between spaced guide bars 6 and 7 that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the inner face of each of the walls 2 and 3 adjacent each end. A pair of these guide bars 6 and 7 are arranged in spaced relation to each other and to each end of the side walls 2 and 3 and when so arranged provide a receiving slot for the end walls 4 and 5. The end walls 4 and 5 are disposed at a point slightly spaced from the ends of the side walls 2 and 3 to facilitate the forming of L-shaped slots 8 at each end of the walls 2 and 3 that are for a purpose which will be later more fully described. These L-shaped slots 8 are arranged approximately centrally of the longitudinal edges of the walls 2 and 3 upon the outer faces of which adjacent each L-shaped slot is secured a bearing plate 9 provided with an L-shaped slot similar to the ones in the ends of the walls 2 and 3 and communicating therewith. These bearing plates 9 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the walls 2 and 3 and are in the preferred form rectangular and serve to add strength to the slotted portions of each wall, 2 and 3.

As a means for locking the body in as sembled position there has been provided pivoted latches 10 that are pivoted and secured in spaced relation to the outer faces of the side Walls 2 and 3 adjacent each end thereof as at 11. A latch bar or rod 12 is adapted to be positioned withinthe L-shaped slots 8 at the ends of the body and is provided at each end with offset parallel terminals 13 and 14 which are adapted for engagement with the latches 10. The portions 13 and 14 of the latch rod 12 are formed by giving two bends to the rod adjacent each end whereby a crank like formation is formed and the portions 13 and 14 are offset and parallel with the body portion of the bar 12. The latches 10 consist of rectangular plates pivoted at one end and having a notch 15 at the free end to receive the portions 13 and 14 of the latch rod 12.

To assemble the device the sides 2 and 3 are placed in proper position relative to the bottom wall 1 and secured to the bottom in any well-known manner suitable for this purpose and the transverse end Walls 4 and 5 are inserted between the bars 6 and 7. The latch rod 12 is then inserted in the L-shaped slot until it seeks the inner terminal of the right angular portion of the slot and the members-13 and 14 of the latch rod are positioned whereby they may be readily engaged so as to fit within the notches 15 in the latches. It will thus be seen that the body is securely and rigidly held in assembled position oWing to the arrangement hereinbefore described.

It will be apparent with reference to the foregoing description and drawings that there has been provided a collapsible wagon body that is simple as to construction and number of parts, eflicient and reliable in its operation, capable of being readily assembled or disassembled and which is cheap to manufacture.

In reduction to practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is

the most eflicient and practical; yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is A wagon body comprising bottom, side and end walls, said end walls being disposed in spaced relationto the ends of the side walls, the ends of said side walls having L-shaped slots therein at points approximately centrally of the longitudinal edges thereof, a locking bar adapted to be mounted within the slot, the ends of said locking bar extending beyond the sides of the side walls and being oifset and disposed in parallel relation to the body portion of the bar and a plurality of latch members adapted to engage the olfset ends of the locking bar, carried by the side Walls.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES A. BROI/VN.

Witnesses:

B. L. RHoDns, B. V. DELLINGER.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

